by Staff Writers
China said Tuesday it was "imperative" six-nation talks to end North Korea's atomic ambitions be restarted, amid alarm over Pyongyang's latest nuclear claims and artillery fired at South Korea.
"What's imperative now is to restart six-party talks as soon as possible," foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters when asked to comment on North Korea's claims it has an operational uranium enrichment programme.
He spoke as a US special envoy headed to China to seek its help in curbing North Korea's new nuclear project, and shortly after North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells onto a South Korean island, killing at least one soldier.
The shelling triggered an exchange of fire and the South's armed forces went on their highest state of alert.
"It is China's consistent and firm position to realise de-nuclearisation on the (Korean) peninsula through dialogue and consultation," Hong said.
"We hope parties make joint efforts to create conditions for the resumption of six-party talks," he added, repeating a call China makes routinely in the effort to dismantle North Korea's nuclear programme.
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